New York Police Academy Requirements

Joining a police academy is a milestone on the path to becoming a police officer. The New York police academy requirements are intended to set a high standard for potential officers. Below are all the requirements and disqualifying factors. Be aware that there is a lot of competition for police jobs so going above the minimum requirements is advised. New York police academy requirements consist of, in part, the following:

Age Requirement

Written Exam: Applicants must be at least 17 ½ years of age when taking exam. Applicant must not have reached their 35th birthday on day of exam. Those applicants who are 35 and over and have active United States military service may deduct up to six years from the age requirement.

Hire: New York police academy age requirements state that applicants must be at least 21 years old. Applicants may complete an application and proceed in the hiring process at 20 years of age if they will be 21 by the starting date of the next academy class.

Residency and Citizenship Requirement

Applicants must be a resident of New York and possess a valid New York driver’s license upon appointment as a State Police Cadet.  New York police academy states that candidates must be a United States citizen and establish New York residency within six months of hire. Applicants must be a United States citizen at the time of initial application.

Educational Requirement

New York Police Academy requirements for education state that the applicants must possess a high school diploma or General Equivalency Degree (GED) time of application.  Correspondence or mail-order high school diplomas are not accepted.

On or before the day of hire, candidates must have successfully completed either:

1. Sixty (60) college credits with a 2.0 G.P.A. from an accredited college or university, or
2. Two (2) years of full-time, active military service in the United States Armed Forces with an honorable discharge and have a high school’s diploma or its equivalent.

Applicant will be required to take a written/oral examination, psychological test, as well as a polygraph examination.

Automatic Disqualification Factors

Applicants are advised that the New York State Police will automatically disqualify any applicant who does not meet the general requirements as detailed below.  In addition, the following information is provided regarding our criteria for automatic disqualification:

• Falsification, omission, or misrepresentation of any information during the completion of the Polygraph Screening Booklet, the Polygraph Examination, the Formal Application for Employment, and any other documents/processes associated with the Cadet Selection Procedures.
• Substance abuse/use within a prescribed time frame and/or that is beyond what is considered experimental by the New York State Police.
• Criminal arrests/behavior which would not reflect well on the New York State Police.

The core purpose of the New York State Police is to seek justice, preserve peace, and improve the quality of life for all.  As such, the Department has established the core values of Honor, Service, Integrity, Respect, Trust, Courage, and Duty, and is seeking applicants who possess these traits and conduct themselves accordingly.  Certain issues within a person’s background have been identified which will result in automatic disqualification, including but not limited to:  criminal conduct (actual arrest and/or admission of behavior whether or not arrested) and substance abuse.

A preliminary determination will be made by the New York State Police based upon information supplied; therefore, applicants must be forthright and honest in documenting their conduct.  Be advised that this preliminary determination is not binding as it is made based upon information provided by the applicant only.  Should an applicant continue in the selection process, the conduct will then be discussed and documented with a New York State Police Officer.

Applicants are advised that all information provided to the New York State Police is to contain no misrepresentation, falsification, omissions, or concealment of material fact and that, upon submission of any official document (on-line or otherwise), applicants swear or affirm that all information provided is true, complete, and correct to the best of their knowledge and belief.  Applicants are further advised that all information provided is subject to later investigation.

Physical Readiness Test

The New York State Police Physical Ability Test is designed to assess the following fitness components:

• Flexibility – the ability of muscles and joints to operate through a normal range of motion without injury.
• Dynamic Strength – the ability of the muscles to generate force to perform repeated tasks over an extended period of time.
• Cardiovascular Endurance – the ability of the heart and vascular system to transport and utilize oxygen for sustained activity involving stamina.

The Trooper Physical Ability Test consists of three (3) subtests. A minimum performance score is required on three (3) of the subtests, the Sit-Ups, Push-ups and the 1.5 Mile Run. These tests are scored in a pass/fail manner. The minimum physical fitness standards for hiring are included in a chart following the description of the subtests. The chart also includes the minimum fitness graduation standards a recruit must meet to successfully complete the Academy.

Subtest I – Sit-Ups

The candidate shall start in the supine position with knees bent, heels flat on the floor, and fingers interlaced and place behind the head. The candidate’s feet will be held down at the ankle. The candidate shall raise the upper body touching the elbows to the knees, and then return down until the shoulder blades touch the floor. The candidates may rest in the up position only. The candidate must perform at least the minimum required number of correct sit-ups in one minute.

Subtest II – Push-ups

An administrator will hold a four (4) inch measuring device directly between and in line with the candidate’s hands on the floor, under the candidate performing the push-up. The candidate will start with his/her hands placed approximately shoulders width apart on the floor and elbows fully extended. The back and remainder of the body should be kept straight at all times. From this full extension, known as the “up” position, the candidate will lower the body toward the floor until the sternum touches the device being held by the administrator. The candidate then returns to the fully extended “up” position. This completes one repetition. The candidate may rest in the “up” position only. The candidate must perform at least the minimum required number of correct push-ups.

Subtest III – 1.5 Mile Run

Candidates should refrain from smoking or eating for two hours preceding the test. Adequate time will be allowed for stretching and warm-up prior to the test. The candidate will run 6 laps on a 440-yard (1/4 mile) track to complete the 1.5-mile run as fast as possible. The candidate must perform the 1.5 mile run within the required time limit.Time will be allowed for stretching and cool-down following the test.

 NOTE:

The eligibility requirements are subject to change at any time.